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Topic: Suggestions for new sales items (Read 94531 times)

As this topic was just getting started again on the old Forum........So far , suggestions we have had are { in no particular order } :VTTS baby clothesVulcan Ventures merchandise"Outdoor / camping stuff" -- thermos style insulated cups, thermos flasks, blankets, coolboxes, folding chairs, that sort of thing.Car Sunshades/blinds

Edited to say :Just had another dig through the old Forum topics......From Feb. 2009 , this is the list that Jane { brains_mt } had compiled of suggested items { yes , some on the list are already being or have been produced & sold on the Club Shop or in the VV } :stickers ties with a vulcan onbruntys sisteradult sockschildrens socksbeanie hatsglovesscarvespadded giletxmas cardscalendersbookletsxmas tree decsPlaying cardsTop trump type cardsrain coats/ponchosKids erasers/rulers/pencil sharpeners etcKey fobsdart flightscushion coverskiteflying jacketsun hatsweathervanecookie cuttercar sun screenkids money walletsvulcan prints with squadronswatches adults/boys/girlsAdults/kids hoodies"how to fly a vulcan" cdromdiary/calender/year plannercar flagswaving flagsBoxed collection of vulcan photographsshopping bags for lifecoat hooksshotgun coversaprons and oven glovesaircraft picture colouring bookstea spoonsthimblestea towels

The bottom line is cost. we have a small window during the summer to move stock and a large hole when we are sat on it. There are companies who can sustain stock over the winter. We are not in that position, hence the fact that the merchandise team investigate all ideas, unfortunately not all are practical. Keep them coming please. Do n't forget your recycling stuff please btb.

« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 AM by Guest »

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Don't forget your old Phones and Toners/inkjet carts etc.We DO make money from them.Regards.Dlw.

The bottom line is cost. we have a small window during the summer to move stock and a large hole when we are sat on it.

I would point out , however , that's what the on-line Club Shop is for -- selling stock throughout the year , rather than just during the "display season" { after all , I thought the sales side of the VV was in addition to the Shop , not instead of it ! }It would be more accurate to concider which items are likely to attain and exceed their "break-even point" , be that quickly or over the course of the year ....which would depend on such variables as initial unit purchase cost versus unit retail price.After all , there's not much point in buying 1000 widgets at £1 each , but only being able able to sell 450 of them for £2 each.....as you'll have already worked out , the break-even point is 500 widgets sold , with any widget above that sold being clear profit { whether you sell the rest at £2 , or discount them to £1 }Yes , there could be a problem with "special" runs , such as this year's "50th Anniversary" line or calendars, but run-of-the-mill { undated } items don't really have a shelf-life in that respect.A way around the problem could be to use the same procedure as the Club does with it's T-shirts , namely ask who would be interested in purchasing a particular item.......if enough people express an interest : look into the procurement costs , report back on how much the item would retail for , then offer it as a pre-order item - on the understanding that unless the number of items pre-ordered exceeds the "break-even point" or any other minimum limit determined by the Club , the production order will not be placed { whether or not the Club insists that any pre-order of the item is "cash in advance" is another thing ! }

As you correctly state , some items are impractical due to the "low sales volume versus unit purchase cost" equation , but there may still be items which haven't been suggested yet which could prove to be very marketable. :mrgreen:

My statement does say keep ideas coming. It's just that over the years we have had alot of ideas that require development prior to finished article that makes a production run feasible or not. We do n't want to disappoint folks from putting forward ideas. Thats why Jane and the merchandising team DO take all suggestions seriously. My pet idea is a direct line from the Stella brewery to home with a % of bus/taxi fares saved going to the funds. Max that to enthusiasts around the country. After all they can do it with avgas........ Save me a walk home!!!!Edited for grammatic reasons.

« Last Edit: July 29, 2010, 09:11:37 PM by dlw »

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Don't forget your old Phones and Toners/inkjet carts etc.We DO make money from them.Regards.Dlw.

My pet idea is a direct line from the Stella brewery to home with a % of bus/taxi fares going to the funds. Max that to enthusiasts around the country. After all they can do it with avgas........

Now if it involves a "PLUTO" to their Leuven brewery , count me in { not a fan of the UK-brewed stuff }........or better still , their Liège { Jupille-sur-Meuse } brewery , to give the option of Stella or Jupiler !!

You have to remember the On-line store is owned and run by the Trust, using Club Volunteer help as possible.

To help, and to provide the choice, all Club lines are stocked in the store, but the Club do only have the Summer Season and any Christmas promotions by Mail Order or Xmas Markets, to generate their income. Any additional budget has to come from the surplus membership fees. It is a fine balance, because the aim is to make donations in support of XH558, whilst having sufficient money left to fund magazines and other Club expenses. Publishing books, with print runs of 4,000+ is not cheap and does take time to recoup investment.

All Vulcan Villages are stocked by the Trust, while the Club Stands are exactly that - Club supplied. One reason, why both sides work closely together on developing complimentary lines and ordering supplies in quantities that sell quickly! We "intertrade" at wholesale prices so both sides carry one anothers' lines - giving maximum choice to you the buying public.

I know what you mean re stock and the summer re the VV just trying to expand on one item

Going back over old ground and the "Car Sun Shades" (Yes I know we have talked cost etc but......) if the sun shades were farely good material and good design, could they not be used in the winter as "Frost Shades" to keep your windscreen clear and yes NO scraping :lol: :lol: Sales all year round and good Christmas Presents :oops: :oops: Well its a idea

PS

« Last Edit: January 01, 1970, 01:00:00 AM by Guest »

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You never stop learning what you think you know!!!!Retired Global Mariner

I know over the years of selling TVOC goodies on the stall, we need to ensure we have good range of items at low cost for kids. Parents, especially in these times, will not want too pay out for 'tat'. The cost, quality, profit margin balance is going to be even harder this year.

I don't know if the idea of a delta stunt-kite has been done before but how about this with a "different design" (if you know what I mean?).

[attachment=0:5tc14g3b]kite.jpg[/attachment:5tc14g3b]

I'd buy one!

It's a great idea.... only a large proportion of our events are airshows....... and kites + airshows = disaster.

I know we can labour the point that it's not to be used on the day, but speaking as a parent, it's hard to buy something and then refuse it immediately, and there will always be one person who doesn't think.....

I don't know if the idea of a delta stunt-kite has been done before but how about this with a "different design" (if you know what I mean?).

[attachment=0:5ursr3vx]kite.jpg[/attachment:5ursr3vx]

I'd buy one!

It's a great idea.... only a large proportion of our events are airshows....... and kites + airshows = disaster.

I know we can labour the point that it's not to be used on the day, but speaking as a parent, it's hard to buy something and then refuse it immediately, and there will always be one person who doesn't think.....

How about having a dedicated section on the new webshop specifically for items which have been flown on XH558? Just calendars & books etc, and only a limited number so as not to devalue them. I bagged a 'flown on 558' calendar at RIAT after a short impromptu auction, but only because I was in the right place at the right time. This would give more people the same opportunity, and would make a few extra quid too.